DURHAM, N.C.—Duke University men’s soccer head coach John Kerr was recognized recently for his accomplishments as a player and coach as he received the Disney Soccer Showcase Lifetime Achievement Award at Walt Disney Resort. Kerr recently finished his sixth season as the Blue Devils’ head coach.

Kerr joins the likes of John Harkes, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Tony Dicicco and Jerry Yeagley among the many honorees over the year. The award is in recognition for Kerr’s service to the game of soccer from his playing days as at Duke to his accomplishments on the profession and international level as well as his work as a collegiate and youth coach.

“This is an incredible honor,” said Kerr. “To be included in the list of many great past winners is humbling. The game of soccer has given me so much in my life and I hope I have given back a fraction of what it has awarded me. I’d like to thank all of those – the list is too long to begin – who have helped me over the course of my career and I sincerely hope I have passed along to others the passion for the game that was passed along to me.”

Captain of Duke’s 1986 NCAA Championship team, Kerr’s list of accomplishments as a player is long and includes being the first American to play in the English Premier League when he signed on with Portsmouth following capturing the Hermann Award as the nation’s top collegiate player. Kerr, following stints with various clubs both home and abroad, played his final two seasons in Major League Soccer before making the move as a player/coach for the Boston Bulldogs in 1999.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Kerr earned his first collegiate head coaching job in 1999 when Harvard picked him to lead the Crimson. In nine seasons at Harvard, Kerr mentored 15 first team All-Ivy League selections, three Ivy League Rookie of the Year choices and two Ivy League Player of the Year picks. In addition, the Crimson led the nation in scoring in 2006 en route to the Ivy League championship.

Kerr returned to his alma mater in the spring of 2008 to guide the Blue Devils after the retirement of longtime head coach John Rennie. Duke advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first four seasons, including a trip to the round of 16 in 2009. Under Kerr’s direction at Duke, the Blue Devils have earned eight NSCAA All-America awards, 18 All-ACC selections, five ACC Players of the Year and on Hermann Trophy winner.

In addition to his many successes as a head coach at Duke and Harvard, Kerr also is active in the Durham community. The Blue Devils put on clinics to local schools and summer programs and are active with Duke Children’s Hospital.

He has passed along his passion for the game of soccer to his children as he and his wife Tracy serve as coaches for their three children’s soccer teams.

Disney’s Soccer Showcase Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an individual who has made an impact on soccer in America. It coincides with Disney’s Soccer Showcase, rated the No. 1 youth soccer tournament in the country by a Soccer America survey.